Thursday, December 2, 2010

Penned by the effervescent Leigh, Veggie Might is a weekly Thursday column about the wide world of Vegetarianism.

Happy belated Thanksgiving, Gentle Readers! Hope your festivities were fun and delicious. Mine were joyous and pie-filled, just as I dreamed they would be.

My body is reacting to all the friendship and gratitude by purging any built-up toxins through my facial orifices. Translation: I have a cold. And this cold wants soup.

A while back, reader and all-around good sort Chris wrote in to ask “When vegetarians/vegans are feeling under the weather, what sort of comfort foods do they like? I would love to learn how to make a flavorful broth (maybe something with ginger and onions, good for colds?) to help my sick veggie buds.”

Chris, first let me apologize for taking so long to get to your request, but as they say, necessity makes us get off our arses when we’d rather lay on the couch and watch Mythbusters reruns. Secondly, you’re a good friend.

I’ve found that most people (and plants) don’t like to eat much when they’re feeling peaked, and, as your spokesveg-in-residence, vegetarians and vegans are no different. A no-fuss soup of broth is soothing on a sore throat; noodles and one or two vegetables add a little substance.

If you are nursing someone else, like to prepare ahead for emergencies, or are strong enough to chop through the rheum, make your own Homemade Vegetable Stock for a healthy, inexpensive recuperative concoction.

If you need sustenance immediately and haven’t the strength for washing carrots, go canned broth or bullion. There is no shame, only sodium, which drinking lots of fluids will take care of. Since this cold hit right after a major holiday, my freezer was empty, and I reached for vegetable bullion cubes.

You may have noticed from articles past that I like spicy food, especially garlic. Good news! Garlic is great for colds. My favorite snorky-sinus soother is a garlicky broth soup with noodles and a green vegetable like broccoli, bok choy, or kale. These crucifers are high in vitamins A, C, and K and minerals manganese and folate—just what a recovering immune system needs.

Toss in a little ginger, crushed red pepper, or hot chili paste for sinus-clearing heat, and you’ve got a fast, easy soup that will put you or your favorite vegetarian/vegan back on the path to mixing with the general population.

Thanks, Chris, for writing with your query. Readers, do you have any favorite soup or comfort food recipes that pick you up when you’re feeling down? If so, sing out in the comments. And give us a shout if you have any questions or post ideas. The suggestion box is open 24-7, including holidays.

1) Pour stock or cold water into medium saucepan and set heat to high. Add garlic, ginger, and bullion (if using) to pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer about 5 minutes to allow ginger time to infuse broth. Return heat to high and bring again to a boil.

2) Add bok choy to boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Add noodles. Continue to cook on high heat for 3 minutes, until noodles and broccoli are tender.

3) Ladle into soup bowls and allow to cool for a couple of minutes, breathing in the fragrant broth. Take relief in your renewed breathing capabilities.